UPenn Supplemental Essays: How to Write Yours

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania boasts many “firsts.” For instance, the university pioneered the first medical school, first business school, and first student union in North America. With a long history of excellence, the university—affectionately known as Penn—remains a highly selective college to this day.

Intrigued? Ready to get started on your application? Great! We have advice for how to knock your University of Pennsylvania supplemental essays out of the park.

Today, the University of Pennsylvania is an urban university with about 10,000 undergraduate students. According to the US News and World Report, UPenn currently ranks #10 in the list of top universities in the nation, with many excellent academic programs and departments.

All the undergraduate majors at UPenn are housed in one of four schools: College of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, School of Nursing, and Wharton (Business). With strong academics across the board, some of the university’s perennially most popular majors are Finance, Nursing, and Biology. 

Outside the classroom, students can join Greek life or a wide variety of clubs. Athletics are also strong—the University’s basketball and lacrosse teams are well recognized.

With an acceptance rate of 6%, admissions to UPenn are fiercely competitive. You’ll want to be sure that your application is as strong as possible before submitting it. What does a strong application look like? 

To stand out as a strong candidate, you have to distinguish yourself from an impressive pool of fellow hopefuls. It’s essential that you not only convey your personal goals but also that you demonstrate how Penn’s specific programs, research opportunities, and resources will help you achieve them. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve carefully considered how Penn can carefully shape your academic and professional trajectory.

On that note, let’s get down to business!

When applying to the University of Pennsylvania, your supplemental essays are a key part of the application process. They’re not just a formality—they provide the admissions committee with an opportunity to see beyond your transcripts, test scores, and extracurriculars. UPenn’s admissions team has stated how important these essays are:

"We read your words carefully, as they are yet another window into how you think, what you value, and how you see the world. Through your writing, we get a glimpse of what you might bring to our community—including your voice and creativity."

In other words, these essays are your chance to convey your personal voice, creativity, and values in ways that no other part of your application can. Our counselors in Philadelphia can help you craft a supplemental essay that truly stands out. They offer insight into who you are as an individual, beyond your academic achievements.

No pressure, right? While it might feel overwhelming to convey so much in a few hundred words, remember that UPenn’s admissions team is not looking for perfection—they want authenticity. They emphasize this in their advice to applicants:

"Remember, you are the expert on your story. This is an opportunity for you to reflect and understand who you are now, and who you want to be in the future. You have the agency to choose the information you want to share. This is your story: your experiences, your ideas, your perspective."

This underscores the importance of showcasing your true self. Admissions officers want to get a sense of how you think, what drives you, and what you hope to contribute to the UPenn community. They want to see you—not a cookie-cutter version of what you think they expect. Use this space to reflect on your personal growth, passions, and goals.

Next, let’s dive into the specific essay prompts you’ll need to respond to as part of your application.

The number of supplemental essays you’ll need to write will vary depending on your background. For instance, transfer students and applicants for dual-degree or specialized programs have slightly different requirements. It’s critical that you read through the application thoroughly to ensure you don’t overlook any prompts or miss a key component.

For this guide, we’re focusing on the essays required for traditional first-year applicants—those applying directly from high school for undergraduate admission.

Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words, only required for first-year applicants) 

This prompt may seem simple at first, but it’s layered with meaning. While the surface-level task is to express gratitude, the admissions committee is also looking for deeper insights into your character. Who you choose to thank—and why—speaks volumes about your values, personal growth, and your capacity for reflection.

To craft a compelling response, think about someone who has had a meaningful impact on your life but whom you’ve yet to formally acknowledge. This could be a teacher, mentor, family member, or even a friend who supported you in an unexpected way. Focus not just on their actions, but on how those actions shaped who you are today. What did you learn from the experience? How did it contribute to your growth?

Additionally, while this essay is short, consider how the person you are thanking has impacted your growth in a way that connects to the values or opportunities you’re seeking at Penn. This subtle connection can show the admissions committee how your personal relationships and values are influencing your future academic and community goals at Penn, specifically.

Remember, this is not just about saying "thank you"—it’s about using that moment of gratitude to reveal something about yourself to the admissions team. The ability to reflect on your relationships and recognize the support you’ve received shows maturity and self-awareness.

How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words) 

This prompt is about demonstrating that you understand the importance of community at UPenn—and that you have thought carefully about your potential role in it. Admissions officers are looking for students who not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to the university’s vibrant campus life.

Start by reflecting on your past involvement in communities—whether it’s at school, in your neighborhood, through volunteer work, or within cultural or social groups. Think about the ways you’ve contributed to those communities and how your experiences have shaped your perspective. Then, consider how you plan to continue that journey at UPenn.

What aspects of UPenn’s community resonate with you? Think about the values and experiences that have shaped you so far. How do they align with Penn’s mission and culture? Are there specific clubs, student organizations, or initiatives you’d like to be involved in? Sharing these ideas will show that you are not only eager to benefit from the Penn community but also prepared to give back and enrich the experience for others.

The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which you are applying. Considering the undergraduate school you have selected for your single-degree option, please respond to your school-specific prompt below.  (150-200 words)

This prompt asks you to directly address why you’re applying to a specific school at UPenn and how that aligns with your academic and career goals. Admissions committees want to ensure that you’re not only passionate about your chosen field but also that you’ve thought carefully about why UPenn is the right place to pursue it.

First, research the undergraduate school you’re applying to (whether it’s the School of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences, Wharton School, or the School of Engineering and Applied Science). Understand the program’s unique offerings, including specific courses, research opportunities, or extracurriculars that excite you. 

Then, tie those features to your personal interests. Beyond highlighting academic programs, make sure to mention how Penn’s research opportunities, access to faculty, and interdisciplinary nature fit into your broader goals. 

For instance, are there specific professors whose work aligns with your interests? Are you excited about participating in Penn’s research labs or taking advantage of cross-disciplinary collaborations? These details show that you’re not just excited about the university in general, but that you’ve thoughtfully considered how it will help you grow both academically and personally.

The key to success in this essay is specificity. Avoid generic statements like "I’ve always wanted to go to UPenn" and instead offer concrete reasons why this school is uniquely suited to help you achieve your academic and personal goals.

Don’t forget to explore the UPenn application website for the most updated information and guidelines on supplemental essays. This is where you’ll find the official word on what the Penn admissions team is looking for, as well as tips directly from the source. Understanding their expectations can help you tailor your responses to their criteria.

??Remember, while these prompts may seem daunting, they’re ultimately an opportunity for you to showcase your individuality. Be honest, reflective, and specific in your responses. The admissions team is looking for students who will not only succeed academically but also contribute to the UPenn community in meaningful ways.

Finally, remember to reflect on your long-term goals and how Penn can serve as the bridge to help you achieve them. Whether it's through professional development, networking opportunities, or unique interdisciplinary programs, applicants who demonstrate a clear understanding of how Penn can specifically advance their future ambitions tend to make a stronger, more compelling case for admission.

Take your time to craft thoughtful responses, and most importantly, let your authentic voice shine through. If you aren’t sure how to start, you can always reach out to experts like Empowerly. We have years of experience and former admissions officers on staff. Over 98% of our students earn admission to their top-choice universities: you can, too!